Decreased peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis study (N=7277)

Studies suggest that dysfunction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a possible contributor to the pathology and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies report reduced peripheral blood levels of BDNF in AD, but findings are inconsistent. This study sought to quantitatively summarize the clinical BDNF data in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a prodromal stage of AD) with a meta-analytical technique. A systematic search of Pubmed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library identified 29 articles for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Random-effects meta-analysis showed that patients with AD had significantly decreased baseline peripheral blood levels of BDNF compared with healthy control (HC) subjects (24 studies, Hedges' g=-0.339, 95% confidence interval (CI)=-0.572 to -0.106, P=0.004). MCI subjects showed a trend for decreased BDNF levels compared with HC subjects (14 studies, Hedges' g=-0.201, 95% CI=-0.413 to 0.010, P=0.062). No differences were found between AD and MCI subjects in BDNF levels (11 studies, Hedges' g=0.058, 95% CI=-0.120 to 0.236, P=0.522). Interestingly, the effective sizes and statistical significance improved after excluding studies with reported medication in patients (between AD and HC: 18 studies, Hedges' g=-0.492, P<0.001; between MCI and HC: 11 studies, Hedges' g=-0.339, P=0.003). These results strengthen the clinical evidence that AD or MCI is accompanied by reduced peripheral blood BDNF levels, supporting an association between the decreasing levels of BDNF and the progression of AD.

Assessment of the link between Vitamin D receptor TaqI gene polymorphism and periodontitis: a meta-analysis in a Chinese population

Although a number of studies have been conducted to determine the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) TaqI polymorphism and periodontitis in the Chinese population, this association remains elusive. To assess the influence of VDR TaqI polymorphism on the risk of periodontitis, a meta-analysis was performed in a Chinese population. Relevant studies were identified using the databases PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biology Medicine, through January 2016. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of the associations. This meta-analysis identified 9 studies, which included 1014 periodontitis cases and 907 controls. In both overall and subgroup analyses, VDR TaqI polymorphism was not associated with the risk of periodontitis. Cumulative analysis also suggested a lack of association between VDR TaqI polymorphism and the risk of periodontitis in the Chinese population. In conclusion, our meta-analysis showed that VDR TaqI polymorphism is not associated with the risk of periodontitis in the Chinese population. Further studies in other ethnic groups are required for definite conclusions.

Mps1 kinase regulates tumor cell viability via its novel role in mitochondria

Targeting mitotic kinase monopolar spindle 1 (Mps1) for tumor therapy has been investigated for many years. Although it was suggested that Mps1 regulates cell viability through its role in spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), the underlying mechanism remains less defined. In an endeavor to reveal the role of high levels of mitotic kinase Mps1 in the development of colon cancer, we unexpectedly found the amount of Mps1 required for cell survival far exceeds that of maintaining SAC in aneuploid cell lines. This suggests that other functions of Mps1 besides SAC are also employed to maintain cell viability. Mps1 regulates cell viability independent of its role in cytokinesis as the genetic depletion of Mps1 spanning from metaphase to cytokinesis affects neither cytokinesis nor cell viability. Furthermore, we developed a single-cycle inhibition strategy that allows disruption of Mps1 function only in mitosis. Using this strategy, we found the functions of Mps1 in mitosis are vital for cell viability as short-term treatment of mitotic colon cancer cell lines with Mps1 inhibitors is sufficient to cause cell death. Interestingly, Mps1 inhibitors synergize with microtubule depolymerizing drug in promoting polyploidization but not in tumor cell growth inhibition. Finally, we found that Mps1 can be recruited to mitochondria by binding to voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) via its C-terminal fragment. This interaction is essential for cell viability as Mps1 mutant defective for interaction fails to main cell viability, causing the release of cytochrome c. Meanwhile, deprivation of VDAC1 can make tumor cells refractory to loss of Mps1-induced cell death. Collectively, we conclude that inhibition of the novel mitochondrial function Mps1 is sufficient to kill tumor cells.

Metabonomic analysis of the protective effect of quercetin on the toxicity induced by mixture of organophosphate pesticides in rat urine

The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of quercetin against the joint toxic action induced by the mixture of four organophosphate pesticides (mixture-OPs) (dimethoate, acephate, dichlorvos, and phorate) at their corresponding no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) using metabonomics. Rats were randomly divided into control, quercetin-treated, mixture-OPs-treated, and quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated groups. Mixture-OPs and quercetin were given to the rats daily through drinking water and intragastric administration, respectively, for 90 days. The metabonomic profiles of rat urine were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS). The 14 metabolites significantly changed in the treatment groups compared with the control group, including the biomarkers of OPs exposure (dimethylphosphate, dimethyldithiophosphate, diethylphosphate) and the metabolites of quercetin (quercetin and isorhamnetina). The intensities of gentisic acid, creatinine, suberic acid, hippuric acid, uric acid, and citric acid significantly decreased, whereas the intensities of 7-methylguanine, estrone sulfate, and cholic acid significantly increased, in the mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the control group ( p < 0.01). The variation tendency of the aforementioned metabolites was significantly ameliorated in the high-dose quercetin (50 mg/(kg bw day)) plus mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the mixture-OPs-treated group ( p < 0.05). However, the intensities of these metabolites in the high-dose quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated group were still significantly different from those of the control group ( p < 0.05). Results indicated that high dose of quercetin elicits a partial protective effect on the toxicity induced by mixture-OPs, including fatty acid and energy metabolism, antioxidant defense system, DNA damage, and liver and kidney function.

MIM regulates the trafficking of bone marrow cells via modulating surface expression of CXCR4

Missing in metastasis (MIM) is abundantly expressed in hematopoietic cells. Here we characterized the impact of MIM deficiency on murine bone marrow (BM) cells. Although MIM^-/- cells proliferated similarly to wild type (WT), they exhibited stronger response to chemokine SDF-1, increase in surface expression of CXCR4, impaired CXCR4 internalization and constitutive activation of Rac, Cdc42 and p38. Transplantation of MIM^-/- BM cells into lethally irradiated mice showed enhanced homing to BM, which was abolished when mice were pretreated with a p38 antagonist. Interestingly, MIM^-/- BM cells, including hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), showed 2 to 5-fold increase in mobilization into the peripheral blood upon treatment with AMD3100. In vitro, MIM^-/- leukocytes were susceptible to AMD3100 and maintained increased response to AMD3100 for mobilization even after transfer into wild type mice. MIM^-/- mice had also a higher level of SDF-1 in the circulation. Our data highlighted an unprecedented role of MIM in the homoeostasis of BM cells, including HSPCs, through modulation of the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis and interactions of BM leukocytes with their microenvironments.

Adolescent exposure to cocaine increases anxiety-like behavior and induces morphologic and neurochemical changes in the hippocampus of adult rats

Repeated exposure to cocaine during adolescence may affect both physical and psychological conditions in the brain, and increase the risk of psychiatric disorders and addiction behaviors in adulthood. Adolescence represents a critical development period for the hippocampus. Moreover, different regions of the hippocampus are involved in different functions. Dorsal hippocampus (dHP) has been implicated in learning and memory, whereas ventral hippocampus (vHP) plays an important role in emotional processing. In this study, the rats that were exposed to cocaine during adolescence (postnatal days, P28-P42) showed higher anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze test in adulthood (P80), but displayed normal spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze test. Furthermore, repeated exposure to cocaine during adolescence lead to alterations in morphology of pyramidal neurons, activities of astrocytes, and levels of proteins that involved in synaptic transmission, apoptosis, inflammation and addiction in both dHP and vHP of adult rats. These findings suggest that repeated exposure to cocaine during adolescence in rats may elicit morphologic and neurochemical changes in the hippocampus when the animals reach adulthood. These changes may contribute to the increased susceptibility for psychiatric disorders and addiction seen in adults.

Investigation of cell aggregation on the substrate of a parallel-plate flow chamber

Adhesion of tumor cells (TCs) to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) tethered on a monolayer of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) in shear flows is investigated theoretically. Both TC&mdash;PMN and PMN&mdash;EC aggregations are modeled using the population balance equations (PBEs). Parameters in the model obtained by curve fitting show that an increase of shear rate or viscosity will suppress the formation of aggregates and promote the breakage of them. Analysis on the collision frequency suggests that the averaged encounter duration is affected by viscosity. Based on the model, a nonlinear connection between the number of migrated TCs and the concentration of PMNs in the flow near the substrate is presented.

High-throughput screening identifies small molecules that enhance the pharmacological effects of oligonucleotides

The therapeutic use of antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides has been constrained by the limited ability of these membrane-impermeable molecules to reach their intracellular sites of action. We sought to address this problem using small organic molecules to enhance the effects of oligonucleotides by modulating their intracellular trafficking and release from endosomes. A high-throughput screen of multiple small molecule libraries yielded several hits that markedly potentiated the actions of splice switching oligonucleotides in cell culture. These compounds also enhanced the effects of antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides. The hit compounds preferentially caused release of fluorescent oligonucleotides from late endosomes rather than other intracellular compartments. Studies in a transgenic mouse model indicated that these compounds could enhance the in vivo effects of a splice-switching oligonucleotide without causing significant toxicity. These observations suggest that selected small molecule enhancers may eventually be of value in oligonucleotide-based therapeutics.

Correlation-induced self-doping in the iron-pnictide superconductor Ba2Ti2Fe2As4O

The electronic structure of the iron-based superconductor Ba2Ti2Fe2As4O (Tc(onset)=23.5  K) has been investigated by using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and combined local density approximation and dynamical mean field theory calculations. The electronic states near the Fermi level are dominated by both the Fe 3d and Ti 3d orbitals, indicating that the spacer layers separating different FeAs layers are also metallic. By counting the enclosed volumes of the Fermi surface sheets, we observe a large self-doping effect; i.e., 0.25 electrons per unit cell are transferred from the FeAs layer to the Ti2As2O layer, leaving the FeAs layer in a hole-doped state. This exotic behavior is successfully reproduced by our dynamical mean field calculations, in which the self-doping effect is attributed to the electronic correlations in the 3d shells. Our work provides an alternative route of effective doping without element substitution for iron-based superconductors.

Ergonomic Aspects of Clinical and Surgical Procedures

This discussion panel aims to identify ergonomic concerns, solutions and research needs, physical stresses, and outcomes related to clinical and surgical procedures. This session will begin with formal presentations to demonstrate current ergonomic concerns and research initiatives associated with clinical and surgical procedures to frame the panel discussion for the second part of the session. Discussion of different procedures will help to identify solutions and research needs that relate to a broad range of ergonomic problems. Questions will be collected from the attendees and speakers and organized so as to guide the panel discussion and to engage all of the speakers in the discussion to achieve the symposium aims.

Differential responses of short-term soil respiration dynamics to the experimental addition of nitrogen and water in the temperate semi-arid steppe of Inner Mongolia, China

We examined the effects of simulated rainfall and increasing N supply of different levels on CO2 pulse emission from typical Inner Mongolian steppe soil using the static opaque chamber technique, respectively in a dry June and a rainy August. The treatments included NH4NO3 additions at rates of 0, 5, 10, and 20 g N/(m(2)·year) with or without water. Immediately after the experimental simulated rainfall events, the CO2 effluxes in the watering plots without N addition (WCK) increased greatly and reached the maximum value at 2 hr. However, the efflux level reverted to the background level within 48 hr. The cumulative CO2 effluxes in the soil rang ed from 5.60 to 6.49 g C/m(2) over 48 hr after a single water application, thus showing an increase of approximately 148.64% and 48.36% in the effluxes during both observation periods. By contrast, the addition of different N levels without water addition did not result in a significant change in soil respiration in the short term. Two-way ANOVA showed that the effects of the interaction between water and N addition were insignificant in short-term soil CO2 effluxes in the soil. The cumulative soil CO2 fluxes of different treatments over 48 hr accounted for approximately 5.34% to 6.91% and 2.36% to 2.93% of annual C emission in both experimental periods. These results stress the need for improving the sampling frequency after rainfall in future studies to ensure more accurate evaluation of the grassland C emission contribution.

Development of RNA aptamer-based therapeutic agents

RNA aptamers are non-coding small RNAs that bind to their cognate targets with high specificity and affinity. They are generally identified by iterative rounds of in vitro selection termed SELEX (Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment). Similar to antibodies, they can inhibit, modulate and disrupt the functions of target proteins effectively, making them promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases and targeted drug delivery. Herein we summarize the recent progress of RNA aptamers as potential therapeutics, and highlight a few pioneer examples in the stage of both clinical trials and pre-clinical developments.

Comparative analyses of histone H3K9 trimethylations in the heart and spleen of normal humans

The global features of trimethylations of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3) have been well studied in recent years; however, most of these studies were performed in mammalian cell lines. In this study, we generated genome-wide maps of H3K9me3 of the human heart and spleen using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) technology. We examined the global patterns of H3K9me3 in both tissues and found that modifications were closely associated with tissue-specific expression, function, and development. In addition, we found that 169 genes displayed significant H3K9me3 differences between the heart and spleen. Among these genes, 64 were heart-H3K9me3-specific, 87 genes were spleen-H3K9me3-specific, and 18 were shared in both heart- and spleen-H3K9me3. In conclusion, we observed significant differences in H3K9me3 in the heart and spleen, which may help to explain epigenetic differences between these tissues. Such novel findings highlight the significance of H3K9me3 as a potential biomarker or promising target for epigenetic-based disease treatment.

Diagnostic performance of micropthalmia transcription factor for melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The diagnosis of melanoma is still a clinical challenge, many studies reported that micropthalmia transcription factor (MITF) plays a role in diagnosing melanoma, but with considerable inconsistent results. The present work aimed to summarize the overall performance of MITF in diagnosing melanoma.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in Pubmed and Embase for studies regarding the usefulness of MITF to diagnose melanoma. Data were retrieved and pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio were determined. The post-test probability was performed to evaluate clinical usefulness. A summary receiver operator characteristic curve and the area under the curve were used to summarize the overall diagnostic accuracy.

RESULTS

Nine studies with 1,299 subjects (651 melanomas and 648 non-melanomas) were included for present meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of MITF for diagnosing melanoma were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.81-0.87) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 17.73 (95% CI: 10.85-28.99), negative likelihood ratio was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.10-0.32) and diagnostic odds ratio was 221.56 (95% CI: 66.16-741.96). In a setting of 20% prevalence of melanoma, the probability of melanoma would be 92% if the MITF test was positive, and the probability of melanoma would be 1% if it was negative. The area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.99.

CONCLUSIONS

MITF may play a valuable role in the diagnosis of melanoma with a high specificity. Nevertheless, the results of MITF should be interpreted with the combination of other test results and clinical findings.

The +252A/G polymorphism in the Lymphotoxin-α gene and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Many studies have shown that the +252A/G polymorphism in the lymphotoxin-α gene is implicated in susceptibility to non-Hodgkin lymphoma but with considerable variance of results. This study aimed to clarify the overall association between the +252A/G polymorphism in the lymphotoxin-α gene and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk by performing a meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for all studies relating to lymphotoxin-α +252A/G gene polymorphism and NHL risk. Data were retrieved and statistical analyses were performed using the Revman 5.1 and STATA 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Fourteen case-control studies with 25,098 subjects were included. There was no significant association between lymphotoxin-α +252A/G gene polymorphism and the risk of NHL in the all-combined analysis (OR = 1.08, 95%CI: 0.98-1.19 for GG+GA vs. AA; OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.95-1.25 for GG vs. GA+AA). In a subgroup analysis by ethnicity, increased NHL risk was found in North Americans (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.05-1.39 for GG+GA vs. AA), no significant association with NHL risk was identified in Asians or Europeans; In a subgroup analysis by NHL subtype, a significantly increased risk was identified in diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients (OR = 1.20 95%CI: 1.11-1.29 for GG+GA vs. AA), but not for follicular lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggested that the lymphotoxin-α +252A/G gene polymorphism is a risk factor for NHL in North Americans, and this polymorphism may contribute to diffuse large B cell lymphoma susceptibility. Future studies that include different types of NHL and ethnicities are needed to support and extend these observations.

As an independent prognostic factor, FAT10 promotes hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma progression via Akt/GSK3β pathway

FAT10 is an oncogene that is localized at 6q21.3, a region frequently amplified in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, growing attention has been paid to its effect in the initiation of various cancers. However, there has been little research into the influence of FAT10 on the progression and prognosis of HCC, especially in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Here, we aimed at investigating clincopathological significance of FAT10 in HBV-related HCC and its underlying mechanisms. Based on the analysis of FAT10 expression in a reliable and large number of cases with 5-year follow-up, we showed that FAT10 was significantly increased in 260 samples from HBV-related HCC patients, compared with 30 normal tissue, 50 cirrhosis and matched adjacent nontumor tissues. FAT10 expression is correlated with recurrence and poor prognosis in HBV-related HCC. In addition, ectopic expression of FAT10 enhanced cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis and induced cell cycle progression, whereas silencing FAT10 expression suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. FAT10 also induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoted invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, we found Akt/GSK3β pathway contributed to the effects of FAT10 in HCC cells. Blocking the Akt pathway significantly inhibited the actions of FAT10. Taken together, the ubiquitin-like protein FAT10 has a central role in regulating diverse aspects of the pathogenesis of HCC, indicating that it might be a potential therapeutic target.

Antihypertensive efficacy of the angiotensin receptor blocker azilsartan medoxomil compared with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril

Drug therapy often fails to control hypertension. Azilsartan medoxomil (AZL-M) is a newly developed angiotensin II receptor blocker with high efficacy and good tolerability. This double-blind, controlled, randomised trial compared its antihypertensive efficacy and safety vs the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril (RAM) in patients with clinic systolic blood pressure (SBP) 150-180 mm Hg. Patients were randomised (n=884) to 20 mg AZL-M or 2.5 mg RAM once daily for 2 weeks, then force-titrated to 40 or 80 mg AZL-M or 10 mg RAM for 22 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in trough, seated, clinic SBP. Mean patient age was 57±11 years, 52.4% were male, 99.5% were Caucasian. Mean baseline BP was 161.1±7.9/94.9±9.0 mm Hg. Clinic SBP decreased by 20.6±0.95 and 21.2±0.95 mm Hg with AZL-M 40 and 80 mg vs12.2±0.95 mm Hg with RAM (P<0.001 for both AZL-M doses). Adverse events leading to discontinuation were less frequent with AZL-M 40 and 80 mg (2.4% and 3.1%, respectively) than with RAM (4.8%). These data demonstrated that treatment of stage 1-2 hypertension with AZL-M was more effective than RAM and better tolerated.

Receptors, endocytosis, and trafficking: the biological basis of targeted delivery of antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides

The problem of targeted delivery of antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides can be resolved into two distinct aspects. The first concerns devising ligand-oligonucleotide or ligand-carrier moieties that bind with high selectivity to receptors on the cell type of interest and that are efficiently internalized by endocytosis. The second concerns releasing oligonucleotides from pharmacologically inert endomembrane compartments so that they can access RNA in the cytosol or nucleus. In this review, we will address both of these aspects. Thus, we present information on three important receptor families, the integrins, the receptor tyrosine kinases, and the G protein-coupled receptors in terms of their suitability for targeted delivery of oligonucleotides. This includes discussion of receptor abundance, internalization and trafficking pathways, and the availability of suitable high affinity ligands. We also consider the process of oligonucleotide uptake and intracellular trafficking and discuss approaches to modulating these processes in a pharmacologically productive manner. Hopefully, the basic information presented in this review will be of value to investigators involved in designing delivery approaches for oligonucleotides.

Hypertonic saline reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse brain edema through inhibiting aquaporin 4 expression

INTRODUCTION

Three percent sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment has been shown to reduce brain edema and inhibited brain aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression in bacterial meningitis induced by Escherichia coli. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main pathogenic component of E. coli. We aimed to explore the effect of 3% NaCl in mouse brain edema induced by LPS, as well as to elucidate the potential mechanisms of action.

METHODS

Three percent NaCl was used to treat cerebral edema induced by LPS in mice in vivo. Brain water content, IL-1β, TNFα, immunoglobulin G (IgG), AQP4 mRNA and protein were measured in brain tissues. IL-1β, 3% NaCl and calphostin C (a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C) were used to treat the primary astrocytes in vitro. AQP4 mRNA and protein were measured in astrocytes. Differences in various groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Three percent NaCl attenuated the increase of brain water content, IL-1β, TNFα, IgG, AQP4 mRNA and protein in brain tissues induced by LPS. Three percent NaCl inhibited the increase of AQP4 mRNA and protein in astrocytes induced by IL-1β in vitro. Calphostin C blocked the decrease of AQP4 mRNA and protein in astrocytes induced by 3% NaCl in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Osmotherapy with 3% NaCl ameliorated LPS-induced cerebral edema in vivo. In addition to its osmotic force, 3% NaCl exerted anti-edema effects possibly through down-regulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) and inhibiting the expression of AQP4 induced by proinflammatory cytokines. Three percent NaCl attenuated the expression of AQP4 through activation of protein kinase C in astrocytes.

Importance of gender in diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma

BACKGROUND

Combined therapy involving cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival outcomes for patients with diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM). The present study aims to investigate gender as a potential prognostic factor on overall survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a period of two decades, 294 patients who underwent CRS and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy were selected from a large multi-institutional registry to assess the prognostic significance of gender on overall survival.

RESULTS

Female patients were shown to have a significantly improved survival outcome than male patients (P < 0.001). Staging according to a recently proposed tumor-node-metastasis categorization system was significant in both genders. Older female patients had significantly worse survival than younger female patients (P = 0.019), a finding that was absent in male patients. Female patients with low-stage disease were found to have a very favorable long-term outcome after combined treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender has demonstrated a significant impact on overall survival for patients with DMPM after CRS and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. An improved understanding of the role of estrogen in the pathogenesis of DMPM may improve the prognostication of patients and determine the role of adjuvant hormonal treatment in the future.

Inhibition of IκB Kinase β attenuates hypoxia-induced inflammatory mediators in rat renal tubular cells

OBJECTIVE

Inflammation is now believed to play a major role in the pathophysiology of ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI), which is thought to be directly regulated by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Our previous study indicated that ischemic preconditioning (IPC) alleviated renal ischemic-reperfusion injury due to inhibition of IκB kinase β (IKK β) activity. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence the expression of IKKβ, which consists of the IKK complex residing at a key convergence site that leads to NF-κB activation in multiple signaling pathways, we protected organs from ischemic AKI. Herein, we have report a siRNA-based treatment to prevent ischemic AKI.

METHODS

Ischemic AKI was induced by a hypoxia-mimicking agent cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)). The therapeutic effects of IKKβ-specific siRNA were evaluated on the expression of interleukin (IL)-18, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and cell apoptosis.

RESULTS

Compared with CoCl(2)-induced NRK52E cells, pretransfected IKKβ-specific siRNA reduced the expression of IL-18 and NGAL to 62.5% and 50.4% in messenger RNA (mRNA) and to 57.2% and 62.7% in protein levels, respectively. The necrosis index in the IKKβ-specific siRNA transfected group was decreased compared with a nonspecific siRNA transfected group.

CONCLUSIONS

These data revealed that hypoxia-induced inflammatory responses were IKKβ/NF-κB-dependent. Knockdown of IKKβ by siRNA suppressed the transcription IKKβ/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory mediators in tumor necrosis factor-α or CoCl(2)-treated tubular epithelial cells, and decreased CoCl(2)-induced cell death, which may be a useful, preventive and therapeutic strategy for ischemic AKI.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha -308G/A polymorphism and risk of the four most frequent cancers: a meta-analysis

The latest data show that breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer are the four most frequent cancers in both sexes worldwide. A number of molecular epidemiological studies have been conducted to examine the association between TNF alpha -308G/A and the risk of those cancers. However the results have been inconclusive or inconsistent. We then performed a meta-analysis to derive a precise estimation of this association. We carried out a comprehensive search in Medline, EMBASE, OVID and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database for studies using related keywords. The inclusion criteria were (i) in English or Chinese; (ii) case-control study on this association; (iii) provide usable genotype frequencies; and (iv) sufficient published data for estimating an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). ORs and 95% CIs were calculated to assess the strength of this association under homozygote comparison (AA vs GG), heterozygote comparison (GA vs GG), dominant (AA/GA vs GG) and recessive (AA vs GA/GG) genetic model comparison. Thirty case-control studies with a total number of 16,507 cases and 19,749 controls were selected for analysis. Overall, no significant association was found between this polymorphism and the risk of total four cancers (GA vs GG: OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.91-1.14, P=0.78). However, there was a significant association between this polymorphism and breast cancer risk in western populations (GA vs GG: OR=0.91, 95% CI=0.85-0.96, P=0.002). This meta-analysis also revealed that this polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to the other three cancers.

Long-term electromagnetic field treatment enhances brain mitochondrial function of both Alzheimer's transgenic mice and normal mice: a mechanism for electromagnetic field-induced cognitive benefit?

We have recently reported that long-term exposure to high frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment not only prevents or reverses cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's transgenic (Tg) mice, but also improves memory in normal mice. To elucidate the possible mechanism(s) for these EMF-induced cognitive benefits, brain mitochondrial function was evaluated in aged Tg mice and non-transgenic (NT) littermates following 1 month of daily EMF exposure. In Tg mice, EMF treatment enhanced brain mitochondrial function by 50-150% across six established measures, being greatest in cognitively-important brain areas (e.g. cerebral cortex and hippocampus). EMF treatment also increased brain mitochondrial function in normal aged mice, although the enhancement was not as robust and less widespread compared to that of Tg mice. The EMF-induced enhancement of brain mitochondrial function in Tg mice was accompanied by 5-10 fold increases in soluble Aβ1-40 within the same mitochondrial preparations. These increases in mitochondrial soluble amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) were apparently due to the ability of EMF treatment to disaggregate Aβ oligomers, which are believed to be the form of Aβ causative to mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Finally, the EMF-induced mitochondrial enhancement in both Tg and normal mice occurred through non-thermal effects because brain temperatures were either stable or decreased during/after EMF treatment. These results collectively suggest that brain mitochondrial enhancement may be a primary mechanism through which EMF treatment provides cognitive benefit to both Tg and NT mice. Especially in the context that mitochondrial dysfunction is an early and prominent characteristic of Alzheimer's pathogenesis, EMF treatment could have profound value in the disease's prevention and treatment through intervention at the mitochondrial level.

Light non-metallic atom (B, N, O and F)-doped graphene: a first-principles study

First-principles calculations are performed to study the geometry, electronic structure and magnetic properties of light non-metallic atom-doped graphene (B, N, O and F). The planar structure and the quasi-linear energy dispersion near the Dirac point remain through doping with B and N atoms, by which p-type doping and n-type doping graphene are respectively induced. A bandgap of about 0.5 eV is generated through O doping, and geometrically the O atom is also in the graphene plane. No magnetic moment is detected in B- , N- and O-doped graphene. For F doping, the F atom bonds with one of the carbon atoms close to the vacancy, with the other two carbon atoms undergoing a Jahn-Teller distortion. A weak polarized magnetic moment of 0.71 µ(B) is detected through F doping.